Although his red beard is less luxurious than Father Christmas’s white one, our December Image of the Month is the festive Cuban Tody. One of the cutest birds in the world, this tiny gem is one of only 5 species belonging to the family Todidae. They are closely related to bee-eaters, kingfishers and rollers and are restricted to the four larger islands the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola). Although not uncommonly encountered whilst birding these tropical islands, these forest dwellers are always a treat to behold, and are often fabulously confiding, allowing up-close-and-personal views and great photographic opportunities. This image was taken by Adam Riley at Cuevas de los Portales in western Cuba. The revolutionary, Che Guevara spent over a month in these caves during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the park around the caves offers exceptional birding. A few final spaces remain on the Rockjumper March 2010 Cuban tour.